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Festivals and Events in India

India celebrates its diversity through its festivals. Year long there is sprit of celebration in some or the other corner of the nation. As there are several religions, which have an interesting mythology there are several opportunities to celebrate which are called as festivals. All festivals In India are commemorated for religious causes, either to celebrate the victory of good over evil or to remember a god or goddess. Further, every state has its own culture thus have their own festivals. However there are many festivals which are celebrated through out the country.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. It is celebrated on the 25th of December each year. The celebrations for Christmas start from December 24th to January 1st, the New Year Day. Prayers, plays, parties, carols and fun filled get together are the items of Christmas Festival, India. Also other issues like cakes, Christmas trees, gifts and Santa Claus are also included. The festival is celebrated with lot of happiness and fanfare all over the world. Christians and non-Christian community took part in great enthusiasm in the different festivities linked with it. Balls, Christmas trees, delicious cakes and Santa Claus distributing goods to the children are the main attractions of the festival.

Christmas in India

Christianity was brought to India in 52 A.D. Twenty years after the crucifixion of Christ, one of his apostles, St. Thomas, is thought of to have landed on Malabar Coast. He established a few churches and converted many local people in Kerala. This was the initial Christian settlement in the subcontinent. In Christmas Festival, India, the towns and villages get ready to do brisk business and offer discounts and sales on articles. Markets are packed with huge crowds. People buy gifts for their loved ones with great thought and affection, decorations and number of items to cook. The ambience of the houses is made festive by decorating their homes to the hilt with Christmas trees, wreathes with bright red decorative baubles, festoons, bells and small trinkets. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, people hang stunning star-shaped paper lamps of different colors and sizes outside their homes. Such star lamps in Kerala are more beautiful with some patterns or cutwork designs on them. About a week before Christmas, the church, club and school choirs are greeted by people with cakes and other eatables. Christmas carols are sung in different local languages all over the country.

Prayers:

In Christmas Festival, India churches hold a special Midnight Mass, which is attended by most people of the community. This is looked at as not only a sacred prayer but also an important social event as well. Members of both sexes wear new clothes and remain present for the Mass, looking their absolute best. The Mass continues for a few hours and remembers the Savior who gave up his life so that they may live. The ceremonies held in Calcutta, Kottayam, Delhi, Sardhana, Martandam, Aizawl, Kohima, Shillong, Panaji and Pondicherry deserve special mention.

India is a land of festivals and the country celebrates the maximum number of religious festivals in the world. This is primarily because of the presence of different religions and communities in the country. Every festival celebrated in India has a specific significance and is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. India is pre-dominantly a Hindu country and a large number of Hindu festivals are celebrated across the nation. The largest Hindu festival is Diwali - the festival of lights.

The Sparkle of Diwali

Diwali festival, India is celebrated throughout the nation in different ways and patterns. However, there are certain rituals and traditions associated with Diwali that are commonly followed throughout the country. The festival is celebrated in the months of October or November and marks the defeat of evil Ravana at the hands of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The festival is celebrated for five consecutive days and also marks the end of Narkasura at the hands Lord Krishna. The festival is mainly celebrated to mark the end of the evil and disperse darkness and spread the light of peace, goodwill and knowledge. Diwali also consists of Lakshmi Puja, wherein Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of power, prosperity and wealth is worshipped. In most parts of the country, the five days of Diwali begin with Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanteras on the first day (auspicious for making purchases), Narkachaturdashi (when Lord Krishna killed the demon Narkasura), Lakshmi Puja, Varsha Pratipada or Padwa (beginning of a new year for the traders and businessmen) and Bhaiyyadooj (celebrates the brother-sister affection).

Diwali festival, India is more than just a Hindu festival and has cut religious boundaries to be celebrated at a national level. For Diwali, people clean their homes and adorn them with bright and colorful lanterns of various shapes and sizes. The homes are also adorned with numerous oil lamps and other colorful electric lights, which illuminate the homes and make them, look very pretty. One of the major attractions of Diwali is the firecrackers and aerial fireworks, which are especially popular among children and youngsters. It is the time when families indulge in shopping for new clothes, appliances and other home décor. The magnitude of the festival has grown in size and the festival is now celebrated even in different countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and several other countries.

Diwali Festival, India is the festival, which every Indian eagerly looks forward to every year.

India is considered as the land of festivals because of more than 70 festivals being celebrated all throughout the year. The rich diverse cultural heritage of India is responsible for such huge celebration. The secular nature of the Indian constitution allows people from all the culture and race co exist. The amalgamation of so many cultures led to celebration all throughout the year. But there are few of the festivals, which are considered as prominent by the Government of India and a public holiday is being announced on that. Dusshera is one of such festivals that commands immense popularity all over the country and thus earns a public holiday. Dusshera is a Hindu festival celebrated during the month of September and October.

Significance of the Festival

Dusshera Festival, India is celebrated to mark the victory of good over the evil. The celebration is based on the mythology that Goddess Durga won over the demon Mahishasura somewhere in the southern parts of India. Another mythology attached to the Dusshera is the victory of Lord Rama over the demon Ravana because he abducted his wife Sita. Thus from ages the festival is celebrated with equal zeal as it was there with the victorious. The festival is also called as "Vijayadashami" because this word signifies victory in the Sanskrit language.

Celebrations of Dusshera

Dusshera Festival, India follows the ten-day Navratri festival. The Navratri festival is marked in different style in different parts of India. Generally in many parts of India this festival see worshipping of various forms of Goddess Durga. The culmination of the ten-day festival results in the Dusshera. On this day the idol of the goddess is drowned in the local water body. The other important part of the celebration is the burning of the effigy of the demon Ravana. In the interiors of the country the countrymen stage a show called Ram Leela. Generally the actors of this show enact the story of Ram fighting against Ravana and emerging victorious.

Dusshera Festival, India is one of the biggest festivals celebrated all over the country with almost all the regions participating. It brings along joy and happiness for all and sundry.

India is one of the greatest examples of secularism and is home to almost all the religions of the world. The nation is the birthplace of religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism while it has a strong presence of religions like Islam, Christianity and Jews. The Hindus mainly dominate the country with almost 80% of the population being Hindus. The second largest religion in the country is Islam and hence Islamic culture and traditions are practiced greatly all over the country. The Islamic festivals are celebrated with equal zest and enthusiasm with Eid-El-Fitr, India is the most important festival for the Muslims.

Eid-El-Fitr - Fasting Month

Eid-El-Fitr, India marks the end of the fasting month of Ramazan. During the month of Ramazan a Muslim must fast from sunrise to sunset and must not indulge in acts like consuming alcohol or smoking during that time for an entire month. This month of fasting ends with Eid-El-Fitr, which mainly celebrates forgiveness, brotherhood and unity. On the day of Eid, every Muslim is expected to wake up early and attend the regular dawn prayers. After the prayers, the followers must eat in small quantities, which is a symbolic gesture of ending of the Ramzan fast. After breaking the fast, the Muslims again attend special ceremonial prayers that are held in the vast open courtyards of the mosques. After these prayers, the worshippers greet and wish their loved ones by embracing each other.

The Eid-El-Fitr, India symbolizes the end of Ramazan, which is considered to be the most holy and sacred period of the year by the Muslims. The Ramazan marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is marked by strict fasts, charity, self-accountability and religious observances. Hence, after practicing fasts and praying regularly during Ramazan, the festival of Eid also marks moral victory and self-control. Every Muslim must donate money or food to the poor on Eid-El-Fitr according to their financial capacity. The Muslims usually dress in new clothes and also present gifts to the children of the family and even to other members of the family, friends and relatives.

Eid-El-Fitr, India celebrates the true Islamic spirit of self-control, devoutness and brotherhood and is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals in the country.

India is called as the land of festivals. Some part or other of the nation has some festival or other, either small or big, those of various religions, beliefs, races and cultures. But few of these are celebrated on a national scale. One of these is Gandhi Jayanti, which is celebrated on the second of October every year in India. Gandhi Jayanti, India marks the birth of the father of the nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. 2nd October is one of the 3 officially declared national holidays of India and is observed in all states and Union territories of India.

About the Mahatma

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was given the title of Mahatma (great soul), which he indeed was. He was and is called fondly as gandhiji. His ideologies and philosophies are like none other on earth. He was the pioneer of satyagraha- the resistance of tyranny through mass civil disobedience, and also firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non-violence-, which lead to India's independence. Gandhiji said that, u can hit me, u can kill me, u can insult me, but u can never forget me. It is almost impossible that gandhiji's name will be wiped out from the pages of history. The Indian currency notes have a picture of his, every city in India has a street named after him and statues of the Great Mahatma are made at many places. He believed in simplicity, truth, non violence and spiritual and practical purity. His highly effective ideologies still inspire people from all over the world. On Gandhi Jayanti, India a national holiday is declared.

Celebrations

2nd of October every year is marked by prayer services and tributes all over India, especially Raj ghat, which is Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi where he was cremated. Celebrations include prayers, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions. In schools, painting and essay competitions are held and best awards are awarded for projects in schools. Themes are generally of glorifying peace, non-violence and Gandhi's effort in the Indian freedom struggle. Gandhiji's favorite song named Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram is sung in memory of his on this day. No wonder that the government of India saw a need to declare a national holiday for just the birthday of such a person. He was none other than Mahatma Gandhi, the man of the previous century.

India the land of diversity and festivals has several festivals in its annual calendar. Holi festival is celebrated as a festival of colors, which falls in the month of March. Just when the spring warms up families and youths start preparing for Holi. Prominently celebrated in the northern India, it is one day when youths cuts loose. Youths color each others faces with dry color. Holi is full of colors and fun and sweets.

Mythology behind Holi

Holi festival is originally celebrated to celebrate the good harvest and fertility of land. However, every festival in India is based on a mythological story. Similarly, an interesting story is associated with Holi as well. The story is centered on an arrogant King who resents his son Prahalad who is was a follower of Hindu god Vishnu. He tries to kill his son but fails inspite after several attempts. Thus the king's sister Holika converts herself into fire and sits on Prahalad. But Prahalad emerges out of the fire unscented, while Holika burns to death. Thus to commemorate the victory of Prahalad, which also signifies the victory of good over evil a huge bon fire is burnt on the eve of Holi.

Similarly the festival is also celebrated to remember the eternal love of Lord Krishna and Radhika. Thus, Holi is a big celebration in Mathura and Vrindavan. The festival is celebrated over 16 days in both the cities. Along with the usual fun with colored powder and water, Holi at Mathura and Vrindavan is accompanied by folk songs, and dances.

Normally the celebration comes to end by late afternoon and every one collects at the river bath tub. After a noisy afternoon generally a silent is spread all across India by the evening.

A symbol of integration and secularism

On the day of Holi individuals from all castes come together and enjoy the sprit of Holi. It is one day when every one forgets all castes and creed and enjoys together. Holi thus is also a symbol of colorful Indian culture, which integrates secularly on this day.

The spirit of Holi is captured in many poems and has added flair of fun and enjoyment to many Hindi movies as well.

India is a nation with a very rich historic background. The Independence Day, India (Swatantrata Divas) is celebrated on the 15th August to commemorate its independence from the 150 years British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on that day in 1947. It is one of the 3 national holidays in the country. Flag hoisting and distribution of sweets is done all over the country. This is a proud day for the Indians. The prime minister raises the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi, and delivers a nationally televised speech from its ramparts, which is viewed by millions of nationals. He highlights achievements of the government, important issues and gives a call for further development through his speech.

History of the Independence Day, India:

On third June, Lord Mountbatten announced the partitioning of the British Empire into an India and Pakistan under the Independence Day, India act 1947. At the stroke of midnight 1947, India became an independent nation, which was preceded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's spine chiller speech titled Tryst with destiny. It went as follows:
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again.

Celebrations

In the capital New Delhi most of the Government Offices are lit up. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the state capitals. In the cities around the country the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is done by politicians belonging to that constituency. Schools and colleges around the country organise flag hoisting ceremony and various cultural activities within their respective premises. In various private organisations the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is carried out by a Senior officer of that organisation Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing. Housing colonies, cultural centres, clubs and societies hold entertainment programmes and competitions, usually based on the freedom theme. Most of all is that the people flu colourful kites in the sky. It is a long traditional thing, and the skies look very beautiful and colurful.
Hence, Independence day in India is a ver important and cheerful occasion.

The New Year's Eve is December 31st, the final day of the Gregorian Year, and the day before the New Year's Day. New Year's eve has its separate identity of its own like the New Year Day. In the 21st century western practice, the New Year's Eve is celebrated with parties and social gatherings until 12 "0" clock midnight. The parties continue till then, till the anxiety of the New Year exists. In India, most celebrations take place in the larger cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. People generally gather and host private parties along with dinner and few drinks. The celebrations generally begin in the dusk. The youth generally takes part actively in these celebrations and the rest of them have their own way of enjoying the evening. A lot of fireworks show takes place in the evening and people thoroughly enjoy the concerts and the parties. In many places, the Celebrities of India and the film stars perform during the concerts. The entry to such places is fixed from the beginning and the bookings are usually done two to three weeks before the actual celebration.

The expenses:

The usual rates are generally high but people are ready to pay for such rare occasions once in a year. The New Year Eve in India celebrations have taken a new dimension since the last five to six years due to the influence from the western countries. The discos and pubs in the bigger cities are usually packed with the younger people. The elder people and other senior citizens of India generally prefer social parties and family gatherings at restaurants or few prefer their own house to preserve their comfort level.

The general activities done in the New Year's Eve in India include private gatherings, private parties, public concerts and performances, celebrity shows and fireworks. The New Year's Eve gained more importance as it follows the Christmas celebrations. Hence, the enthusiasm among the mob continues till the New Year. People give a lot of importance to the cuisines and various other delicacies when they dine at the restaurants. The cities are decorated and there are a lot of lightings on the roads and many such efforts are taken to add to the enthusiasm in the air.

The festival of Rakshabandhan or Rakhi is a very popularly festival celebrated in India. People all over the world too celebrate this festival. There are many legends related to this festival so also there are many significances related to this festival. This festival of Rakhi is known by various names in all the states of India but is for surely celebrated. The significance of celebration of this festival varies from region to region. All the people belonging to various communities celebrate this festival. People all over India celebrate the Rakshabandhan is basically a North and West Indian festival. On the day of Shravan Purnima, people celebrate the festival of Rakhi. The significance of this festival is different in the southern and coastal regions.

Rakhshabandhan, India is one of the most festivals. The festival of Rakhi celebrates the beautiful relation that a brother and a sister share. In India the family and family relationships are of prior importance to everybody. This is related to as Indian culture and is unlike the Western culture. Thus, Rakhi festival is a very much important festival in India. This festival helps a brother and a sister to strengthen their beautiful relation with a bond of love and care. This bond between the brother and sisters helps getting the family relations get better. On this day the sister adorn the wrist of their brothers with a frail a thread of Rakhi. This Rakhi is not just a thread but is the symbol of love and trust that a sister expresses to her brother. A sister applies a tilak on the forehead of the brother and performs traditional aarti and then ties the Rakhi. With this the sister prays for a good and a long life of her brother. The brother in turn promises for the safety and shower of love to her sister. When the sister ties a Rakhi on the wrist on brother, the brother in turn gifts his sister something.

Rakhi 2007 would be celebrated on August 09. The brothers and sisters from all over will express their love and caring for their siblings by dedicating a beautiful Rakhi. There is enjoyment and happiness all around as the brothers and sisters meet up. On this day gifts will be exchanged, all the brothers buying gifts for their sisters and the sisters buying rakhi's for their brothers would be found. The sisters who are unable to meet their brothers also post the rakhi's t their brothers staying abroad. Everybody will celebrate this festival with their siblings and will fancy the thread, Rakhi.